INDONESIAS CHAIRMANSHIP OF IORA 2015-2017 AND BEYOND

Abstract

Development of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as is still an underdevelopeda regional cooperation forum is still slow and underdeveloped, even though it has potential to become a strong international organization. This paper aims to analyze how and what are Indonesias role, as the chairman of IORA in 2015-2017, in addressing the challenges and opportunities for the next two years. These challenges are, for instance, the low level of enthusiasm of member countries, and how IORA create tangible or concrete results to its state members. This paper also provides several recommendations for Indonesia to revitalize its policy orientation, which should give greater attention to the Indian Ocean and IORA in line with the doctrine of maritime fulcrum.